by Henry
160 km (including 27 km of unpaved farm road), 1568 m total ascent, 26°C maximum.
Today is May Day, and seasonally it is the equivalent of November 1 in the northern hemisphere.
Leaving the northwest district in South Africa.
Gerber coffee shop in Bitterfontein at 62 km.
We could not resist stopping there for a cappuccino.
At 81 km, right after lunch in Nuwerus, our 27 km segment of gravel began.
The gravel was often corrugated, at times rather sandy, and there were exposed hard patches where the rocks were compacted into a concrete-like layer. It would seem like riding on this hard surface would be easier, but in fact, it was quite bumpy also.
When we turned off the gravel road onto tarmac for the last 50 km of the day, we had to unhappily contend with a headwind, so the four of us who happened to be riding together took turns leading.
When we turned off the gravel road onto tarmac for the last 50 km of the day, we had to unhappily contend with a headwind, so the four of us who happened to be riding together took turns leading.
Cresting our final hill of the day, the Atlantic Ocean made its appearance in the distance on our right side.
We arrived at Strandfontein Caravan Park at 5 PM, partly because we stopped to help Montana Pam change a flat tire 25 km out from camp, and in part also because we did not want to rush to end one of the few remaining days of riding in Africa.
The coastline has a remarkable resemblance to the Southern California coastline in Orange County. I waded into the chilly Atlantic, just because.
Strandfontein is a vacation resort town, and not really a place where there are permanent residents.
We took our dinner and watched the sun descend below the shimmering watery horizon.
Nearing the end of this self-inflicted marathon, we all are hoping that our bodies, our spirits, and our bikes will hold up for just three more days of cycling. Nothing is guaranteed. Uli’s Di2 electronic derailleur broke today, so for the next 3 days she will be riding a TDA staff bike to get her into Cape Town.
Nearing the end of this self-inflicted marathon, we all are hoping that our bodies, our spirits, and our bikes will hold up for just three more days of cycling. Nothing is guaranteed. Uli’s Di2 electronic derailleur broke today, so for the next 3 days she will be riding a TDA staff bike to get her into Cape Town.
It was a long tiring day, and I had no trouble falling asleep in my tent listening to the continual roar of the Atlantic surf.
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